All burglaries are felonies and are considered very serious crimes. Contact Bottari & Doyle Law Firm in Palm Beach County at 561-588-2781.

Definition of Burglary

Florida law classifies burglary into three separate crimes, depending on where the burglary occurred. The three kinds of burglary are: burglary of a conveyance, structure and dwelling.

Florida Statute 810.02 states that a “burglary” means:

Entering a dwelling, a structure, or a conveyance with the intent to commit an offense therein, unless the premises are at the time open to the public or the defendant is licensed or invited to enter; or;

Notwithstanding a licensed or invited entry remaining in a dwelling, structure or conveyance:

Surreptitiously, with the intent to commit an offense therein;

After permission to remain therein has been withdrawn and with the intent to commit an offense therein; or;

To commit or attempt to commit a forcible felony.

Burglary of a Conveyance

Burglary of a Conveyance occurs when a person enters a conveyance with the intent to commit an offense therein. A Conveyance means any “motor vehicle, ship, vessel, railroad car, trailer, or aircraft.” In these cases, the conveyance is usually a car, and the defendant typically enters the car to commit a theft (the offense therein). For example, if a person breaks into a car and steals the owner’s iPhone, the person has committed Burglary of a Conveyance.

Burglary of a Structure

Burglary of a Structure occurs when a person enters a structure with the intent to commit an offense therein. A Structure means, “any building of any kind, either temporary or permanent, that has a roof over it, and the enclosed space of ground and outbuildings immediately surrounding the structure.” In these cases, a person typically enters a business or store with the intent to commit a theft (the offense therein).

Burglary of a Dwelling

Burglary of a Dwelling occurs when a person enters a dwelling with the intent to commit an offense therein. A Dwelling means, “a building or conveyance of any kind, whether such building or conveyance is temporary or permanent, mobile or immobile, which has roof over it and is designed to be occupied by people lodging therein at night, together with the enclosed space of ground and outbuildings immediately surrounding it. A dwelling includes an attached porch or attached garage.” A dwelling is essentially a building or a conveyance designed to be used as a home or residence. The offense typically occurs when a person enters someone’s home to steal something from inside the home.

Penalties for Burglary

Burglary is a first degree felony, punishable by up life imprisonment, if in the course of committing the offense, the offender:

Makes an assault or battery upon any person; or

Is or becomes armed within the dwelling, structure, or conveyance, with explosives or a dangerous weapon; or

Enters an occupied or unoccupied dwelling or structure, and:

Uses a motor vehicle as an instrumentality, other than merely as a getaway vehicle, to assist in committing the offense, and thereby damages the dwelling or structure; or

Causes damage to the dwelling or structure, or to property within the dwelling or structure in excess of $1,000.

Burglary is a second degree felony, punishable by up to 15 years in state prison, if in the course of committing the offense the offender is not armed and does not commit an assault or battery, and the offender enters or remains in a:

Dwelling (house, residence) occupied or unoccupied by another person.

Structure (store, business, restaurant) occupied by another person.

Conveyance (car, boat) occupied by another person.

Authorized emergency vehicle (fire truck, police vehicles)

Structure or Conveyance when the intended offense to be committed is theft of a controlled substance.

Burglary is a third degree felony, punishable by up to 5 years in state prison, if in the course of committing the offense, the offender is not armed and does not commit an assault or battery, and the offender enters or remains in a:

Structure (store, business, restaurant) unoccupied by another person.

Conveyance (car, boat) unoccupied by another person.

Defenses to Burglary Charges

Burglary is a very serious offense with very serious consequences. It is absolutely essential for a defendant charged with burglary to speak to a qualified criminal defense lawyer. Some of the more common defenses to burglary include, but are not limited to:

Lack of Intent to Commit an Offense: The State must be able to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant intended to commit an offense at the time the defendant entered the dwelling, structure or conveyance, or intended to commit an offense when remaining in the dwelling, structure or conveyance. Intent is typically proven by testimony explaining the defendant’s sneaky behavior. However, if a defendant can show that he or she entered the premises for a lawful reason, such as to avoid rainfall, then he or she cannot be convicted of burglary.

Consent: Consent is an affirmative defense to Burglary. This means that the defense must offer some evidence of consent. Once the evidence of consent is presented, the prosecutor must disprove consent beyond a reasonable doubt.

Open to the Public: If a place is open to the public, then a person has consensually entered the place, regardless of his or her subjective intentions.

Contact Us

If you have been arrested for Burglary in Palm Beach County, Broward County or Martin County, call a
Palm Beach criminal defense attorney from Bottari & Doyle, at (561)-588-2781 for a free consultation.